Christmas at the Old Royal Naval College
Laura Wilkinson
26 October 2006
Get your skates on and visit the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich this Christmas for ice skating, music and dance in and amongst Wren’s architectural masterpiece.
Greenwich Ice Rink, Saturday 2 December – Sunday 14 January 2007
A favourite in the Greenwich Calendar, the ice rink returns for its third season. PWR Events Ltd in association with the Greenwich Foundation invites you to grab your hat, gloves and scarves and join in the Christmas festivities at Maritime Greenwich’s real outdoor ice rink!
The Greenwich Ice Rink at the Old Royal Naval College is situated in landscaped grounds on the banks of the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It has magnificent views looking up to the Queen’s House and the Greenwich Observatory, and also across the Thames to the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. For those cold winter days, the café will once again be open for warming drinks and festive snacks.
The ice rink is open from 2 December – 14 January 2007.
£9.50 adult, £7 child, £8 concessions, £38 family (2+2). Group discounts are available.
To book tickets, call 0870 1690101 or visit www.greenwichicerink.com
High demand for weekends, Christmas and New Year sessions is expected so advance booking is strongly recommended.
Ice skating and pantomime in one day!
PWR Events and Greenwich Theatre are offering joint family tickets to skate and see the pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on the same day. Tickets for a family of 4, which must include between 1 and 3 children, cost just £70 and are only available from the Greenwich Theatre Box Office.
Restricted dates available, for full details visit www.greenwichtheatre.co.uk
Venetian Christmas Concert & Supper, Tuesday 12 December at 19.00
Celebrate Christmas with a performance of Venetian Music including festive pieces by Monteverdi and Gabrieli. The concert in the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul will be followed by a two-course dinner in the Painted Hall.
£40 (concert only £15), plus £1.50 for telephone bookings.
For enquires and bookings call 020 8269 4799.
18th century Christmas dance with Danse Royale, Sunday 17 December
The energy and entertainment of 18th century society will be brought to the Painted Hall on Sunday 17 December as Danse Royale invite you to eavesdrop on their festivities and enjoy the spectacle of costume, music and dance. Three performances will take place at 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00. Mulled wine and mince pies can be purchased during the performances to add to the Christmas spirit.
Performances are free.
Dazzling Decorations – workshops for children, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21December
Christmas craft workshops for children inspired by images throughout the Old Royal Naval College. Children will be able to make traditional decorations and Christmas cards for friends and family.
Wednesday; suitable for all ages, Thursday; suitable for ages 7+ 14.00 – 16.00
£1 per child, accompanying adults free
For enquiries and bookings call 020 8269 4799.
‘Join a Christmas Party’ with Leith’s at Old Royal Naval College
Shared parties provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy a grand night out and meet new people at the same time. For £75 per person (+VAT) each guest will receive sparkling wine on arrival followed by a three course festive meal with half a bottle of wine and the chance to dance the night away with a DJ provided. Christmas parties every Friday night from 8th to 22nd December.
To book call 020 8269 2131 or email kate.rowbottom@compass-group.co.uk.
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Issued 11 September 2006
For additional details and images contact Laura Wilkinson, Marketing & Events Manager, Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College.
020 8269 4763 / 07890 314499
lwilkinson@greenwichfoundation.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Visitor Information
Admission free, individual events priced as above
Opening times: grounds open daily 8am-6pm
Mon-Sat: Painted Hall, Chapel & Visitor Centre 10am-5pm
Sun: Painted Hall & Visitor Centre 10am-5pm; Chapel 12.30-5pm
For more information please visit www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org
Pre-booked guided tours of the Nelson Room, Painted Hall & Visitor Centre: Adults £4, children (accompanied by an adult) free.
Group Tours and lunches also available. Please call 020 8269 4799 or email info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk for further information.
2. Brief Site History
The Old Royal Naval College began life as Greenwich Hospital, which was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants and for the improvement of navigation. Sir Christopher Wren planned the site, described as "one of the most sublime sights English architecture affords", and, during the first half of the eighteenth century, various illustrious architects, such as Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh, completed Wren's grand design.
In June 1705, the first Pensioners arrived and, by 1814, a total of 2,710 lived there. They lived on a diet of bread, beer and boiled meat and smoked their clay pipes or ‘chalks’ in the Chalk Walk, now the Skittle Alley. The Pensioners were given pocket money of 1s a week, which they supplemented by acting as caddies at Blackheath Golf Club and guides for visitors to Greenwich.
In 1869 the Hospital was closed, and in 1873 the complex of buildings became the Royal Naval College, where officers from all over the world came to train in the naval sciences. The Navy moved out in 1998 to merge with the RAF and Army at a new Joint Services Staff College in Shrivenham.
With the departure of the Royal Navy from Greenwich, responsibility for the Old Royal Naval College passed to the Greenwich Foundation. The Foundation is a registered charity established to look after, and interpret, the buildings and their grounds for the benefit of the nation.
3. Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
Maritime Greenwich was inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO in 1997. Greenwich is recognised for its cultural heritage; the grandeur and sheer beauty of its buildings, the magnificent vistas and views across London, its royal history, its naval and sea-faring history and its scientific accomplishments.
For more information visit www.greenwichwhs.org.uk
